Samsung's Note7 kill-switch is deeply disturbing, whether you own one or not

If you bought a Samsung Galaxy Note7, Samsung really, really wants you to stop using it. How much? The company plans to push out a software update next week to the potentially explosive Note7 devices in the U.S. that will prevent them from charging or connecting to a mobile network—effectively rendering them useless.

In a surprise twist, at least one U.S. carrier is balking at this decision, flexing its muscle as the gatekeeper of its network. Verizon issued a flat refusal to push out Samsung’s kill-switch update in the middle of the holiday season.

Apparently, Samsung’s statement that it was working “together with our carrier partners” was more wishful thinking than an actual plan. Read more…